You have identified an a possible topic that could be a theme, but you have not made a clear statement, e.g.:
" friendship" - but you need to clarify what the author is saying about the value of friendship?

AND/OR - the theme you tried to identify is based on just one section, part, or scene in the story, not the entire story

Level 3 - proficient

You have identified a key theme from this story, though your explanation was too specific to this one story, and/or not generalized enough to apply to other stories.

4 - advanced

You have identified a key theme from this story in a concise way, your theme statement could be used by others when examining other stories.

Evidence/Support

i = incomplete, missing

incomplete, missing, vague, too short, not enough information

2 = basic, approaching proficient

- you've given vague & general support, e.g.: the main character was angry - this is too vague, explain what they were angry about, what they said and did, and to whom, and why, and how this supports the theme.
- likewise, your support came from just one part of the story, you haven't shown how the theme is throughout the whole story.

Level 3 - proficient

- you've mentioned 2-3 events (things people said and did) from the story that connect to the theme you identified

4 - advanced

-the support you give are many (4+) specific events (things people said & did) throughout the whole story, and these events clearly relate to the theme you identified